The state that exists when caloric intake equals caloric expenditure.
When energy balance is zero, energy intake equals energy expenditure. When energy balance is positive, intake exceeds expenditure and weight is gained. When energy balance is negative, expenditure exceeds intake and weight is lost.
When an individual is in energy balance, dietary energy consumed is equal to energy expended. If energy intake exceeds energy expenditure, the net gain in energy will result in weight gain. On the other hand, if energy expenditure exceeds intake, weight loss will ensue.